Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been a thrilling ride so far, with new records being set and old ones shattered but a rare milestone stands out – only four players have featured in every season of the IPL since its inception in 2008.
Dhoni, Rohit, and Kohli: The ever-present icons
When the Indian Premier League began in 2008, MS Dhoni was picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Virat Kohli joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Rohit Sharma started his journey with Deccan Chargers.
Rohit moved to Mumbai Indians in 2011 and became one of the most successful captains in IPL history. Dhoni has been CSK’s face since 2008, apart from the 2016-17 seasons when the team was suspended, during which he played for Rising Pune Supergiant. As soon as CSK returned in 2018, Dhoni resumed his role as their leader.
Virat Kohli, however, holds a unique record – he remains the only player in IPL history to have played for the same franchise, RCB, for 18 consecutive seasons.
Manish Pandey: The unsung constant
Joining this elite club is Manish Pandey, who has featured in every IPL season since 2008. His journey began with Mumbai Indians before moving to teams like RCB, Pune Warriors India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals.
In IPL 2025, he has rejoined Kolkata Knight Riders, continuing his streak of uninterrupted appearances in the league.
What lies ahead for MS Dhoni in IPL?
While Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to continue playing in the IPL at least until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the same certainty does not apply to MS Dhoni. At 43, age is not on Dhoni’s side, and its impact on his fitness has been evident.
However, Dhoni recently hinted that he intends to play for a couple more years, sparking speculation about whether he might have advanced his retirement timeline. While his presence remains invaluable to Chennai Super Kings, questions about how long he can sustain his playing career continue to loom.
